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DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Due to Taigu's schedule, we have had to change our RETREAT DATES!

So, please note that our Annual 'AT HOME' Two Day 'ALL ONLINE' ROHATSU (Buddha's Enlightenment Day) RETREAT IS COMING UP ... and is now to be held on SUNDAY December 4th and MONDAY December 5th, 2011 JAPAN TIME (which will be earlier in your particular time zone).

If participating (and we expect that everyone will!), you will be able to sit with us live if the times are suitable to your time zone, or at a later time via recording, or in a combination thereof. Thanks to the wonders of how our Sangha sits, you can choose a time to sit the retreat that is convenient for you, and do not have to sit with us live. No difference when time and distance are all dropped from mind!

This Retreat celebrates the 'official' closure of our ANGO (100 day Special Practice Season), is a part of our current preparations for our JUKAI (Undertaking the Precepts) Ceremony in January, and marks ROHATSU ... the traditional holiday in Japan celebrating the time of the Buddha's Enlightenment.

The week between December 1st and 8th is called Rohatsu Sesshin, which is a whole week of intensive zazen. The custom has its roots in the Buddha’s own attainment of enlightenment after a week of Zazen. Following the example of the Buddha, Zen monks meditate for a whole week, amid the cold weather of winter. The word R?hatsu (??) in Japanese literally means 8th Day of the 12th Month. It is the time we Buddhists celebrate the enlightenment of Buddha and rejoice in the path of peace and liberation from suffering.

Zen Sangha all around the world will be holding week long Sesshin and shorter Retreats of a few days during this time. This year marks our 3rd Annual "All Online" 2-Day Retreat.

The schedule and content will be (with small changes) nearly the same as last year's, which you can see here (you can also watch video of each part from last year) ...

This year, Jundo will be leading the first day, and Taigu will be leading the second day.

Because Treeleafers will be sitting in many time zones, let me explain how it works ... and I believe it will be surprisingly clear and easy to follow:

We will be sitting in Japan from 6AM to evening both Sunday and Monday (Japan time) . That means that the live netcast will actually run Saturday evening to Monday morning/afternoon in most of North America and Europe (equivalent times in New York and London are shown on last year's schedule linked above). Please calculate your equivalent local times.

So, here is how you can do the Retreat:

I - One way is to just sit from your morning to late night, in your time zone Sunday and Monday, using the recorded versions only (recordings of each segment, e.g., Zazen, Samu Work Practice, Oryoki, will be posted by us on the Treeleaf Blog as soon as we finish live sitting). You will follow us in "real time", but just a few hours after us in Japan. (You do not need to begin at 6am as we do, but we ask that you begin your day in your local time zone no earlier than 4am, and no later than 7am, adjusting the schedule accordingly)

II- The other way is to sit, as much as you can, with live segments, and then sit with any missed segments via their recorded version by simply adding the missed segments (segments, for example, that happened during your sleeping time) right on the end of each day. You will need to figure out the schedule to see which activities you can join live, which you will need to join later as a replay recording.

WE DO NOT CARE IF YOU CHANGE THE ORDER OF SEGMENTS, SO LONG AS ... AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE ... YOU DO ALL SEGMENTS, AND OVER A SOLID TWO DAYS.

We have designed the schedule, as much as possible, so that you can do this. So, for example, the activities you miss while you are asleep (like Samu Work Practice) can be easily moved to the end. Other activities (such as meals) were positioned by me to be in about the right time so people in many time zones can join us 'live' (at least most of the time).

OF COURSE, IF YOU CANNOT SIT THAT WEEKEND ... IT IS AVAILABLE ANY OTHER DAY YOU CAN SIT. We do expect Jukai participants to make the efforts to complete the Retreat at the first opportunity.

NOTE TO PARENTS: Please feel free to devote Samu work periods to family/child care, extend or move Samu work periods as necessary to do so, or convert some "Zazen" periods to additional Samu. If you miss any Zazen, it would be nice if you do "make-up" Zazen by adding it at a convenient time. REMEMBER: All parental activities should be done with an attitude of Samu, and as much as possible, in Silence. All will be part of the Retreat!

OF COURSE, EVERYTHING IN MODERATION ... if the sitting ever feels too much, be sure to walk lots and lots of Kinhin (even if during a sitting period). And if the whole retreat becomes too much, or you feel ill, you may slow down ... , spread things out, shorten the sittings ... or STOP! Be sure that you have someone close by whom you can call, or who can check on you from time to time. If there is any question about health, do not take any chances.

BELOW IN THIS THREAD I WILL POST A SERIES OF VIDEOS, AND WILL ASK THOSE WHO WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN OUR RETREAT TO WATCH AND REVIEW EACH IN PREPARATION BETWEEN NOW AND THE START. They will cover such hot topics as "How to Oryoki" "How to Bow" "How to Go To The Bathroom during a Retreat" (Really!) and many others.

Our Chant Book for the Retreat (some small changes from last year) is available for DOWNLOAD here (30 p. PDF). I ask you to print it out and place it in a nice binder.

As well, between today and the Retreat, PLEASE WATCH AND REVIEW EACH OF THE FOLLOWING IN PREPARATION FOR OUR RETREAT (Average time about 10 minutes each) ... and they are also good for anyone to watch ...

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Hi all,
I'm working on December 5th, but will try and sit as much of the retreat live on the 4th as I can ... although the time zones usually mean I sit things later and recorded ... which is probably what I'll do here too. In other words, I will be sitting with you.
Gassho

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Hi everyone!

I'm happy I'll be able to sit live Sunday. Unfortunately, like Soen I won't be able to sit Monday because of work.
But I'll sit the all retreat the 10 and 11 and it will be shared with two people from my local Sangha!

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

I have decided to participate, real time on the 4th. This means I will start at 2 am (Pakistan) . If Cistercian monks can do it I can do it. I will need the schedule as download is too slow for steady streaming. I will have the computer running but it will end up a mess, I am picking. Network often crashes. The 5th is out – work
Cheers
m

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by Matto

I'm considering following the "live" schedule despite the 12hr difference, do some sleep shifting. Anyone else?

I have always sat the retreat live in the past, but this year I will probably have to do the retreat the following weekend because of the time change and my wife's work schedule. She just got a new job (Yay!), so taking that Monday off would be very difficult for her. I have considered doing Jundo's half live on Sunday and Taigu's half the following weekend, but am thinking it best to do the whole retreat as the intended 2 day sesshin when time permits.

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by Dosho

Originally Posted by Matto

I'm considering following the "live" schedule despite the 12hr difference, do some sleep shifting. Anyone else?

I have always sat the retreat live in the past, but this year I will probably have to do the retreat the following weekend because of the time change and my wife's work schedule. She just got a new job (Yay!), so taking that Monday off would be very difficult for her. I have considered doing Jundo's half live on Sunday and Taigu's half the following weekend, but am thinking it best to do the whole retreat as the intended 2 day sesshin when time permits.

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Hi Jundo Sensei,

I'm gathering all the needed information for our Rohatsu. While printing out the Retreat Pointers and links within, I found that 2 of the links could not be connected to. The manners in a formal Zen hall, and Prostrations. Is there another place to get working links on these?

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by JRBrisson

Hi Jundo Sensei,

I'm gathering all the needed information for our Rohatsu. While printing out the Retreat Pointers and links within, I found that 2 of the links could not be connected to. The manners in a formal Zen hall, and Prostrations. Is there another place to get working links on these?

Gassho,
John

Maybe I will refilm those in the coming days anyway. Stand by.

Today, I have to run out to the Chinese Embassy for Visas as we received the dates for heading to China to retrieve our new Daughter ... right between Rohatsu and New Years! Quite a holiday present!

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Jundo wrote:
Today, I have to run out to the Chinese Embassy for Visas as we received the dates for heading to China to retrieve our new Daughter ... right between Rohatsu and New Years! Quite a holiday present!

Awesome! I'm going to share the happy news with my family now! Congratulations to you, Mina and Leon(the soon to be oniisan)!

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by Matto

See you then!

I'm considering following the "live" schedule despite the 12hr difference, do some sleep shifting. Anyone else?

A combination of live and recorded for me. I'm going to sit this one as many hours live as I can. The hours I do sleep I'll try to make up by sitting with the recorded. That's the plan anyway. Originally my wife was going to take the kids out for the weekend so I could do it undisturbed. Well that plan of hers changed so now I have to be more flexible in my Rohatsu routine as I may have to be at their beck and call at times. No complaints though, because its all good practice

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by JRBrisson

Originally my wife was going to take the kids out for the weekend so I could do it undisturbed. Well that plan of hers changed so now I have to be more flexible in my Rohatsu routine as I may have to be at their beck and call at times. No complaints though, because its all good practice

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

I am fortunate that my wife is giving me time to participate "live," and was also able to get Monday off work. So, I will be participating on Japan time. For me (NY time), that works out to 4PM Saturday - 9:30AM Sunday, and again 4PM Sunday - 7:30AM Monday. With the big time difference, I'm going to do some "prep" because I'm not a teenager anymore and cannot function on zero sleep

So, my plan is to stay up really late Friday night (saturday morning) until about 4am, then sleep 'til about 11am. Get up, spend the afternoon with the family, then settle in for the retreat at 4pm. Then, after the retreat on Monday, sleep from about 7:30AM to maybe noon. Hopefully I'll be able to fall asleep again that night by midnight (maybe with a little medicated help).

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by Matto

I am fortunate that my wife is giving me time to participate "live," and was also able to get Monday off work. So, I will be participating on Japan time. For me (NY time), that works out to 4PM Saturday - 9:30AM Sunday, and again 4PM Sunday - 7:30AM Monday. With the big time difference, I'm going to do some "prep" because I'm not a teenager anymore and cannot function on zero sleep

So, my plan is to stay up really late Friday night (saturday morning) until about 4am, then sleep 'til about 11am. Get up, spend the afternoon with the family, then settle in for the retreat at 4pm. Then, after the retreat on Monday, sleep from about 7:30AM to maybe noon. Hopefully I'll be able to fall asleep again that night by midnight (maybe with a little medicated help).

Time to watch some videos...

I'll be there with you Matt. Also thinking about doing an all night sit on the 7-8th. I will also do them online on G+ in case anyone wants to pop-in/join.

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by shards

Originally Posted by Matto

I am fortunate that my wife is giving me time to participate "live," and was also able to get Monday off work. So, I will be participating on Japan time. For me (NY time), that works out to 4PM Saturday - 9:30AM Sunday, and again 4PM Sunday - 7:30AM Monday. With the big time difference, I'm going to do some "prep" because I'm not a teenager anymore and cannot function on zero sleep

So, my plan is to stay up really late Friday night (saturday morning) until about 4am, then sleep 'til about 11am. Get up, spend the afternoon with the family, then settle in for the retreat at 4pm. Then, after the retreat on Monday, sleep from about 7:30AM to maybe noon. Hopefully I'll be able to fall asleep again that night by midnight (maybe with a little medicated help).

Time to watch some videos...

I'll be there with you Matt. Also thinking about doing an all night sit on the 7-8th. I will also do them online on G+ in case anyone wants to pop-in/join.

There are some small changes from last year. HOWEVER, if you still have the Chant Book from last year (2010), you probably do not need to print it out again. Most of the changes were small corrections and typos, plus the following:

On page 3: The first line of the "Verse of Atonement" now begins "All evil Karma ... " (to be the same as our weekly Zazenkais)

On pages 5 and 20: The "Gate Gate" Mantra at the end of the English 'Heart Sutra' is to be recited 1x only, not 3x.

On pages 15 and 20: I added dedication to victims of "and natural events" after "war and terrorism".

PLEASE GO THROUGH THE BOOK AND NOTE THAT CEREMONIES WILL FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING PATTERNS ON Day 1 AND Day 2:

Day 1 (Jundo):

The "Long Ceremony" includes the 'Heart Sutra' IN ENGLISH, the 'Identity of Relative and Absolute', the traditional List of Ancestors, the 'Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo'.

The "Short Ceremony" features Hakuin Zenji's Song of Zazen

At last sitting, we recite the 'Metta Verses'

Day 2 (Taigu):

The "Long Ceremony" includes the 'Heart Sutra' IN JAPANESE, the 'Daihishin Dharani', the List of Women Ancestors, the 'Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo'.

The "Short Ceremony" features the 'Heart Sutra' IN ENGLISH

At last sitting, recital by Taigu of the 'Fukanzazengi' IN ENGLISH

The book also includes the Meal Chants for Oryoki Meals, various Gatha for washing and other events, and various chants for other times.

Keep the Chant Book by the side of your Zafu, within arms reach for easy access. If on the floor, do not place it directly on the ground, but with a cloth or towel below.

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by Matto

I am fortunate that my wife is giving me time to participate "live," and was also able to get Monday off work. So, I will be participating on Japan time. For me (NY time), that works out to 4PM Saturday - 9:30AM Sunday, and again 4PM Sunday - 7:30AM Monday. With the big time difference, I'm going to do some "prep" because I'm not a teenager anymore and cannot function on zero sleep

So, my plan is to stay up really late Friday night (saturday morning) until about 4am, then sleep 'til about 11am. Get up, spend the afternoon with the family, then settle in for the retreat at 4pm. Then, after the retreat on Monday, sleep from about 7:30AM to maybe noon. Hopefully I'll be able to fall asleep again that night by midnight (maybe with a little medicated help).

Time to watch some videos...

I was thinking of doing the same, but now I'm really looking forward to having Monday off and spending the day sitting on my own while my husband is at work. Also, I'll have the opportunity to sit with others on Sunday afternoon. I'll probably join in for the start live and then work out my schedule with the recordings.

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

I still need to talk about this with my husband and how to fit in the retreat with parenting our 2-year old. I may have to break it up in chunks. I will find a way to work it out somehow.

Thanks,
Jodi

As a parent of two little guys, who will be sitting this retreat at home for the second time, I would say just do what you can. I'm going to make my best effort, but inevitably some type of child-related disaster will ensue. I'll work those times in as samu, and hope my head doesn't explode.

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

On pages 5 and 20: The "Gate Gate" Mantra at the end of the English 'Heart Sutra' is to be recited 1x only, not 3x.

I've been meaning to ask about that. Just curious -- why the change?

Gassho,

Jen

Hi,

Long story short ... I was chanting 3x in the Korean way (in Japan and China, it is 1x) just because I liked to sing it 3x! A Korean group I used to sit with years ago did so, and I just liked the sounds and "bounce" they had in their Heart Sutra recitations compared to more staid Japanese! When first making Treeleaf and our Chant Book, I just did so on a whim (that is why the "Heart Sutra" that accompanies our Zazen Timers is also in lively Korean)!

However, I recently decided to be a bit more in the way of our Soto tradition on this. Just because.

It does not matter. The Heart Sutra is not English, Lithuanian, Korean or Japanese ... 1x or 3x or 0x or Infinite-x ... yet all of those things!

Originally Posted by Shujin

As a parent of two little guys, who will be sitting this retreat at home for the second time, I would say just do what you can. I'm going to make my best effort, but inevitably some type of child-related disaster will ensue. I'll work those times in as samu, and hope my head doesn't explode.

Please recall our guide for parents ... because it is all Samu, all Zazen ...

If your are a parent or otherwise have unavoidable obligations during the days of your Retreat, that is fine. In our ‘life as it is’ practice, there are no disturbances … even the disturbances. We will discuss how to make everything during the day and night part of the Retreat, even the events that seemingly bring you ‘back into the world’ ....

...

10. SAMU:

There will be work periods. This ‘Mindful Work’ is to be done as if it is the only action to be done, or which can be done, in the world at that moment. The mind is to drop all resistance, likes or dislikes about the work. It is to be done ‘mindfully’, meaning that we think only about the work we are doing at that moment when doing the work at that moment. ... For parents, this is an excellent opportunity for child care. However, more than usual, attempt to maintain silence, inner stillness and a sense of non-achievement. As our Retreat will be in whole or part recorded, one may move (or even add) ‘Samu’ periods on the schedule as needed for home duties. It is all ‘Zazen’ if approached as such.

EVERYONE PARTICIPATING IN OUR RETREAT SHOULD BE SURE TO REVIEW THIS PDF ...

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Sorry If I have missed this somewhere but I need to print out a schedule. I will work off the clock and timer according to that schedule and sit on real time . My internet connection is too unreliable to trust. Can someone point me in the right direction to this please.
Thanks
Michael

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Originally Posted by michaeljc

Sorry If I have missed this somewhere but I need to print out a schedule. I will work off the clock and timer according to that schedule and sit on real time . My internet connection is too unreliable to trust. Can someone point me in the right direction to this please.
Thanks
Michael

I am sorry to hear of your connection issues. It is the sitting, however, that is the True Connection!

The webpage with the exact schedule for this year will be up later this week. It will be very close to the schedule for last year, with a few minor adjustments.

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Re: DATE CHANGE: Our 'AT HOME' 2-day ROHATSU RETREAT Dec 4-5

Jundo wrote:
Long story short ... I was chanting 3x in the Korean way (in Japan and China, it is 1x) just because I liked to sing it 3x! A Korean group I used to sit with years ago did so, and I just liked the sounds and "bounce" they had in their Heart Sutra recitations compared to more staid Japanese! When first making Treeleaf and our Chant Book, I just did so on a whim (that is why the "Heart Sutra" that accompanies our Zazen Timers is also in lively Korean)!

Thank you for this answer Jundo Sensei.
In studying the Japanese version I did notice that it was chanted only once. I must admit that chanting it 3x was one of the things I greatly enjoyed.

Jundo wrote:
It does not matter. The Heart Sutra is not English, Lithuanian, Korean or Japanese ... 1x or 3x or 0x or Infinite-x ... yet all of those things!

Dropping all preferences, I quickly came to the same conclusion and just went with the change.